Is anyone else not sleeping?

[Liz1017]

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I'm not a frequent poster here but visit the site regularly and now I need some reassurance on this I guess. None of my close friends are going through this whole application process so they don't really "get it."I just submitted to amcas, am waiting for it to be verified, starting on some secondaries and haven't been able to sleep. And when I do get to sleep I'm dreaming about application related things! I'm not usually this neurotic! I just wanted to get some input on this and see if anyone else was going through this sort of thing too.

 

[myodana]

you've GOT to chill out. it gets much worse than this. just wait until interview season.

relax. there's nothing to stress about now. you've submitted... soon you'll do the secondaries... they're no big deal. you just do it. stressing and freaking out over this whole process will just hinder you. so take control and don't freak out. 🙂

 

[bwells46]

I'm not a frequent poster here but visit the site regularly and now I need some reassurance on this I guess. None of my close friends are going through this whole application process so they don't really "get it."I just submitted to amcas, am waiting for it to be verified, starting on some secondaries and haven't been able to sleep. And when I do get to sleep I'm dreaming about application related things! I'm not usually this neurotic! I just wanted to get some input on this and see if anyone else was going through this sort of thing too.

Get together with your friends, go to a party/movie/other, and don't do ANYTHING related to your application for 48 hours. Just have fun for awhile. When you go back to your applications, your head will be clearer and it will probably feel a little easier.

I know applications are stressful but you need to take some time to relax and have fun.

 

[princessd3]

Liz I know exactly what you mean. I submitted two nights ago and I've been getting up way before my alarm ever since. The first night when I had just submitted I was dreaming about the words "bachelor's degree". I thought I had spelled it wrong and I woke up early and checked my AMCAS. Also this morning I woke up about an hour an a half before my alarm went off.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I'm not a frequent poster here but visit the site regularly and now I need some reassurance on this I guess. None of my close friends are going through this whole application process so they don't really "get it."I just submitted to amcas, am waiting for it to be verified, starting on some secondaries and haven't been able to sleep. And when I do get to sleep I'm dreaming about application related things! I'm not usually this neurotic! I just wanted to get some input on this and see if anyone else was going through this sort of thing too.

myodana is right. You haven't seen anything yet. The application process is less stressful than all that is to come. it gets much worse before it gets better. Get used to getting no sleep; it will prepare you well for med school and residency. Sorry to come down so hard but it's the truth. So for now do some fun things with non pre-med friends; relax and don't give it another thought. Do not think about it before falling asleep at night or surely you'll get nightmares about it. All the best....

 

[Liz1017]

Thanks- I totally know I need to chill out and relax cause it's not even like its down to the wire or anything.

 

[smileyguy77]

The other posters are correct. It gets much worse. I wish I could be more optimistic, but I don't want to mislead you. The night before interviews, it was always impossible for me to fall asleep. When I was waitlisted at one of my top choice schools, the waiting made me crazy.

A few suggestions though to help relieve the anxiety:

1) Do some sort of cardiovascular exercise. I jog for 30 minutes every other day and it seems to decrease my nervousness

2) It's important to get a good night's rest before interviews. If you still have difficulty sleeping, even with the exercise, try obtaining a prescription for a sleeping medication like Ambien or Sonata (just don't tell Tom Cruise). It's important to make sure that it doesn't leave you groggy the next morning. For some people, it leaves them groggy but for others, like me, it didn't. Also, try not to use them every night since they can sometimes be habit forming and you can also develop a tolerance.

Best of luck!

smileyguy77

 

[Learfan]

I'm not a frequent poster here but visit the site regularly and now I need some reassurance on this I guess. None of my close friends are going through this whole application process so they don't really "get it."I just submitted to amcas, am waiting for it to be verified, starting on some secondaries and haven't been able to sleep. And when I do get to sleep I'm dreaming about application related things! I'm not usually this neurotic! I just wanted to get some input on this and see if anyone else was going through this sort of thing too.

Sorry to say this but it is likely to get much worse before it gets any better. 🙁 🙁

I experienced many a sleepless night getting ready for the MCAT, waiting for scores and later during interview season. With the start of the MS1 year in about three weeks, I am sleeping quite poorly and feel scared crapless most of the time. This is a very stressful process and it appears that the stress level ratchets up with each step you ascend. The other contributors have made some good suggestions regarding proper nutrition, a sensible exersize program and occasionally treating yourself to something special as tools to decrease stress. Speak to friends and family and try to keep your sense of perspective. Other than that, we can only hang on and go for the ride. 🙁 🙁

 

[Thundrstorm]

Although I do have moments of intense self doubt, I'm mostly just really excited about applying to school. I'm no longer just preparing to reach my goals, I'm actively pursuing them. 👍 I'm siked!


/cheesiness


We'll all make it through this. I remember how anxious I was about college apps and that turned out very well; I didn't think I'd get a summer research internship, but then I got to work in my top choice lab at my top choice program. And none of it happened simply because I was worrying about it. 😉

 

[obgyny]

Don't worry, you're not the only one suffering from sleep deprivation. I stayed up past 3am this morning worrying bout the MCATs...